[ad_1]
Boris Johnson is facing a revolt from his own MPs after it emerged that 99% of England’s population will fall under the two toughest levels of coronavirus when the shutdown ends next week.
Several high-level conservatives have urged the government to publish an analysis of the impact that these strict rules will have on reducing infection rates, as well as the effect they will have on people’s livelihoods and the broader business community.
Approximately 32 million people, covering 57.3% of England, will enter Level 2. But 23.3 million people (41.5% of the population) will be placed at Level 3 as of 2 December.
Find your area on this map to find out what level you have been placed on
Much of the Midlands, the Northeast and Northwest will be subject to the harshest measures. Hospitality venues will be closed in the lead-up to Christmas unless they can provide take-out or delivery services, and households are prohibited from mixing indoors.
But the numbers suggest that, of the 119 areas that will be at Level 3 starting next week, only eight have reported an increase in coronavirus cases.
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Conservative MPs Committee, told the BBC: “By forcing much of the country to apply these really tough restrictions, especially in places where infection rates have dropped to much lower levels, the government has given itself a much more difficult job. “
Reports from the Daily Mail suggest that up to 70 government MPs are prepared to rebel against the prime minister when MPs vote on the regulations next Monday.
And while levels in England are scheduled to be revised on December 16, The Times has reported that measures may not decline until mid-January.
Infectious disease experts have said stricter restrictions are needed before travel rules are relaxed from December 23 to 27, which covers the Christmas period.
The government has promised that it will publish an impact assessment of the measures before MPs vote on December 1, amid concerns that the economic damage and health effects of the tiered system have not been fully taken into account. .
Steve Baker, vice president of the COVID Recovery Group of Conservative MPs, said yesterday that “authoritarianism at work is truly appalling.”
And Sir Roger Gale, MP for North Thanet’s Kent constituency, criticized the decision to place the entire county on Level 3, telling Sky News that he fears people will “jump over the line” to go to a pub. nearby on Level 2.
Rules in force in England before and after the national shutdown
In an attempt to soften the blow for Tier 3 areas, ministers promise them access to rapid-result COVID-19 tests to help reduce infections, as well as cash subsidies.
Additional cash will also be offered to areas located at Level 2 and Level 3.
The Secretary of Health said that “these are not easy decisions, but they have been made in accordance with the best clinical advice.”
At a Downing Street briefing yesterday, Professor Chris Whitty said the latest Tier 2 measures will “hold the line,” meaning the restrictions will likely halt the rise in infection rates, but may not contribute to that decrease significantly.
“We think level 3, based on previous experience, is strong enough to bring things down from a higher peak,” he explained.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Whitty ‘wouldn’t advise’ hugging older relatives
Senior Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance warned that a “very high” number of people, one in 85, currently have COVID-19 in England.
He added: “The levels worked in terms of slowdown, but they did not work in terms of flattening and reversing.
“The national blockade seems to have flattened it and is sending it down and it is important that we reduce it because the numbers are still high.”
Only 1% of the population, 714,000 people, will live under Tier 1 restrictions.
